Social media platform X said on Monday it will appeal after an Indian court rejected its challenge of New Delhi’s content-removal mechanism, calling the system unlawful and a violation of freedom of speech.
X described itself as “deeply concerned” about the ruling, arguing that the government’s approach lacked legal basis, violated India’s top court precedents, and undermined the rights of platforms to question such orders.
The dispute centers on a centralized online portal launched by the Indian government that allows agencies to order content removal directly from social media platforms. The portal has been criticized by critics as a form of censorship, while defenders say it is needed to address the proliferation of unlawful content.
According to X, the ruling holds that foreign platforms cannot invoke constitutional protections in India—despite the company’s insistence that it respects Indian law and that its incorporation abroad does not negate its ability to raise objections.
The government, for its part, maintains that the system is intended to improve accountability online and reduce illegal content. The court had earlier declared that every platform operating in India “must accept that liberty is yoked with responsibility.”
X’s legal battle with India is part of broader tensions between global platforms and governments demanding greater control over online speech. The outcome of the appeal could reshape how such platforms engage with state-mandated takedown orders.
